This week: No. 18 Houston vs. Cincinnati

• Head coach:Tommy Tuberville (third season).
• Record: 5-3, 2-2 American Athletic Conference East
• Series history: Houston leads 13-10.
• Last week:Beat Central Florida 52-7 in Cincinnati.
• Last meeting: Cincinnati won 38-31 on Dec. 6, 2014, in Cincinnati.
• About the Bearcats: Cincinnati, the overwhelming preseason pick to win the AAC East, is currently two games back of Temple. The Bearcats’ three losses have come to Temple, Memphis and BYU. Since losing to BYU, Cincinnati has won three of the last four games, including a win against Miami. The Bearcats feature an explosive offense that has produced more than 700 yards in two games. They had 752 yards against Memphis and 726 on Saturday against UCF. For the season, Cincinnati is fifth nationally in total offense (576.9) and sixth in passing offense (370.6) while averaging 38.5 points per game. On defense, the Bearcats are 55th in total defense (376.9), 62nd in scoring defense (26.4) and 43rd against the pass (204.1). Cincinnati has won the last five meetings against UH.
• Players to watch: Quarterback Gunner Kiel has completed 68.9 percent of his passes for 1,514 yards with 12 touchdowns and five interceptions. He completed all 15 of his passes – the most attempts without an incomplete pass in the last 20 years according to reports – for 319 yards and five touchdowns against UCF. … Cincinnati has also used redshirt freshman Hayden Moore, who threw for a school and AAC record 557 yards in three quarters against Memphis. … The Bearcats have gone with a running back-by-committee with Hosey Williams (546 yards, 3 TDs), Tion Green (542 yards, 5 TDs) and Mike Boone (439 yards, 4 TDs). … Kiel has several receiving targets to throw to, led by Shaq Washington, who has a school-record 205 career catches. Washington is fourth in the AAC with 55 catches for 645 yards and four touchdowns. Max Morrison is second on the team with 32 catches for 403 yards and two touchdowns, Alex Chisum has 23 catches for 273 yards and one score and Chris Moore has 21 catches for 454 yards and three touchdowns. Johnny Holton Jr. has a team-best five touchdown catches. … Weak side linebacker Eric Wilson is fourth in the AAC with 76 tackles. … Safety Zach Edwards has 51 tackles with five pass breakups and one interception. … Defensive lineman Silverberry Mouhon is the team’s active career leader in sacks with 17, including 2.5 this season, and has three tackles for loss. … Safety Tyrell Gilbert has five pass breakups and one interception. … Kicker Andrew Gantz has made 17-of-21 field-goal attempts and is 35-of-35 on extra points.Roster | Schedule | Stats
• Stat that counts: 88 – Wins for Cincinnati the last nine years, the most of any AAC team.
• On Twitter:@GoBearcatsFB